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5/31/2016

You are receiving Sharing Neighborhoods as a registered subscriber. Sharing Neighborhoods is a publication of New Jersey SHARES, on the web at www.NJSHARES.org.

president's message

Jim Jacob, President & CEO

At NJ SHARES, we work throughout the year to serve as advocates and increase awareness of the importance of assistance programs designed to help NJ residents.

Earlier this month I provided remarks on behalf of NJ SHARES and the Anti-Poverty Network at a press event held by Senate President of New Jersey Steve Sweeney in support of a bill introduced by Senator Shirley Turner to increase the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 30 to 40 percent. We are grateful for the leadership of Senate President Sweeney and Senator Turner and for their recognition of the fact that the EITC is an important priority for our neighbors across the state struggling to make ends meet.

The EITC does not only infuse money into the local economy and drive growth – it also directs limited state budget resources to the families that need them the most, the working poor. The few hundred extra dollars in a tax refund check can make all the difference for a struggling family and can potentially save them from a financial crisis.

Early next month, I will join approximately 700 of my colleagues in the non-profit, utility and government sectors during the 2016 National Energy and Utility Affordability Conference (NEUAC). As a board member and treasurer for NEUAC, I will be presenting on some of NJ SHARES’ successful initiatives and look forward to discussing best practices that are helping low-and-moderate households address their energy burden nationwide. This exchange of ideas provides a great opportunity for those attending the conference to become more effective leaders, as they continue to work to strengthen the energy safety net.

As we prepare for the summer season, remember that NJ SHARES is here to help households in need stay cool and beat the summer heat. Our work allows us to be the much needed financial safety net for those who do not qualify for other assistance programs and are unable to meet their energy burden due to circumstances beyond their control. I wish to extend many thanks to our legislators, donors, agency partners, utility and energy company friends and supporters for their dedication to our mission and continued financial support.

Come out anytime between 11:30 a.m. and midnight for a meal and drinks to benefit NJ SHARES. We will have guest bartenders onsite throughout the day and night serving as advocates for NJ SHARES! To donate, all you have to do is print and present the flier for the event to your waiter/waitress that evening – 20% of your total bill will be donated to our energy assistance program and directly benefit residents of Atlantic County!

Help us help AC - visit www.njshares.org for more information and to print out the event flier. Hope to see you there on the 21st!

NJ SHARES Exhibits at the NJ Chapter of the National Social Workers Association

NJ SHARES was proud to be an exhibitor at the New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers​ conference held at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City from May 1st through 3rd. The three-day, annual conference for social workers was sold out this year! The 2016 theme of the conference was "A World of New Challenges and Opportunities for Social Work," and included guest speakers, workshops, exhibitors and more.

NJ SHARES Partners with Local Legislators, Agency and Utility Company to Offer Eligibility Screenings at Energy Assistance Event

A tough economy combined with record job losses creates an economic storm that is difficult to navigate. In efforts to help ease the burdens of those in Atlantic County affected by this tough economic environment, struggling households across the county were invited to an Energy Assistance Event on May 18th at the New Day Family Success Center in Galloway, NJ. Hosted by Atlantic City Electric, NJ SHARES, Assemblywoman Gove, Assemblyman Rumpf and Senator Connors, the event offered local residents the opportunity to learn about flexible payment options, assistance programs and available resources to keep families safe in their homes while they resolve their financial crisis.

On May 5, NJ SHARES were exhibitors at the 11th Annual Family Expo hosted by Project Self Sufficiency (PSS). The expo was held at PSS’s Community Education Building at 127 Mill Street in Newton. The goal of the event each year is to offer Sussex and Warren county families engaging, interactive and educational experiences designed to assist them to become the best parents they can be.

The event included dinner along with break-out sessions presenting a variety of topics. The Keynote topic was Positive Parenting, presented by Diane Lang, Psychotherapist, Counseling Educator and Life Coach. Little Sprouts Learning Center was open to provide dinner, homework assistance and fun and games for children 6 weeks to 12 years old.

NJ SHARES was proud to participate in our of partner agency’s important community events. The expo gave NJ SHARES the opportunity to talk to folks about our programs and provide an energy saving tips coloring books and crayons for children.

Burlington County Freeholder MaryAnn O'Brien talks to seniors at the event.

NJ SHARES Exhibits at the 17th Annual Burlington County Senior Expo

On May 12, seniors residing in Burlington County came out to the 17th Annual Burlington County Senior Expo, sponsored by the Burlington County Freeholder's Office and Sheriff's Department. The expo, held at the Fellowship Center at 114 Oxmead Road in Burlington, NJ, is designed to inform seniors of services available to them, as well as answer any questions they may have regarding organizations with whom they already interact. NJ SHARES exhibited at the event – our staff members were onsite to talk about our programs, provide information to those in need and answer questions.

On May 14th, NJ SHARES was onsite at the “Sharing Solutions” in 2016 and Beyond Housing Expo at the JFK Center in Willingboro, NJ. The expo was hosted by the New Jersey State Conference NAACP and Solutions to End Poverty Soon (STEPS). The primary goal of the event was to have representatives from federal, state and local agencies come together with community leaders and housing professionals to provide tools to assist the vulnerable populations effected by the continually increasing housing dilemma.

The expo included workshops and vendors and gave NJ SHARES the opportunity to host a table and speak to the participants about how we can coordinate our programs with their efforts to help people achieve affordable and safe housing. Michael McNeil, New Jersey State Conference NAACP Housing Chair and Executive Director for Solutions to End Poverty Soon (STEPS) made opening remarks.

Agency Spotlight

Pictured in her office is NJ SHARES' partner Bernadette Blackstock President and CEO of the People for People Foundation.

PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE FOUNDATION

NJ SHARES is fortunate to partner with more than 230 agencies around the state. Each organization has a different mission and focus but all provide holistic solutions to their community. This month we are pleased to highlight the People for People Foundation.

People for People Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation that helps normally self-sufficient individuals and families that fall on hard times through no fault of their own and need one time help. People for People may provide monetary and advocacy assistance to those in need who may not know where to turn to for help or who may not readily qualify for traditional assistance from the government or large charities.

Started in November of 2003 as a Rotary Club project with a goal of helping 12 families, People for People answered 100 calls within the first month of the project. Because of the overwhelming need, the husband and wife team of Paul and Bernadette Blackstock decided People for People should become a registered 501(c)(3) Foundation. The Blackstock’s ran the organization as volunteers for the first 6 years from their home, advocating for families and raising funds. By 2009, Bernadette became the organization’s President and CEO and now employs 6 part-time employees and numerous volunteers. Paul continues his work as a volunteer.

NJ SHARES and People For People first partnered in 2010.

“We are proud to partner with Bernadette and Paul Blackstock and the People for People Foundation,” said NJ SHARES President and CEO Jim Jacob. “The Blackstock’s passion for people and enthusiasm for advocacy strengthen the Gloucester County community. Serving the same population, there is a natural collaboration and great synergy between our organizations.”

“We are happy to be able to provide NJ SHARES resources to our community,” said Bernadette Blackstock. “From a small club project run by volunteers to a wide reaching organization helping thousands of families with their emergent needs, People for People continues to grow.”